Ambulance officers driven beyond brink
BY TYRON BUTSON
20/10/2008 11:51:00 PM
BULLYING and mismanagement has driven many Hunter paramedics to attempted suicide, marriage breakups and alcohol abuse, a senior paramedic's submission to an inquiry into the NSW Ambulance Service says.
Jodie Adams' submission includes damning claims that her superiors were unconcerned about widespread depression and suicide attempts among officers pushed to the breaking point by stress.
A paramedic for 16 years Ms Adams, who has been twice nominated for Australian of the Year, said she was eventually demoted from her role as district officer after repeatedly raising the high attempted suicide rates and low morale among paramedics to her superiors.
Hers was one of about 20 submissions from Hunter officers to a parliamentary inquiry into the management and operations of the ambulance service, which has called for a fresh start for the service.
More than 260 front-line paramedics made submissions to the parliamentary inquiry, which yesterday made 45 recommendations for reforms that "must occur as a matter of urgency".
"I personally have had an officer attempt suicide because leave would not be granted and he was too emotional to just take sick leave," Ms Adams said in her statement, presented as part of the report.
"When I told senior management the officer had threatened self-harm, I was told 'he is responsible for his own actions'."
She also told the inquiry of another paramedic who had completed his own case sheet, ensuring his co-workers would only have to complete a minimum amount of paperwork when he killed himself.
"Other officers, due to their stress, either drink too much, have family breakups or simply resign . . . these are good officers, who with proper help could have longevity in this career," Ms Adams said.
She said in her submission that she was told she was "too passionate about the job" and was "too soft" on her subordinates.
More than 260 frontline paramedics made submissions to the inquiry which made 45 suggestions, including that Ambulance Service ensure all on-duty crews in the Hunter Region consist of at least two officers by June 30 2009.